Thiruvananthapuram: Aadhaar-based punching will soon become mandatory for college teachers in the state, with authorities preparing to roll out a facial recognition attendance system linked to the government’s salary management platform, SPARK (Service and Payroll Administrative Repository for Kerala).

The Directorate of College Education has directed that the first phase of implementation will begin on January 16 in government colleges in Thiruvananthapuram district. It will then be extended to other government colleges across Kerala. Later, the system will also be introduced in aided colleges.

Once the punching system is active, attendance recorded in SPARK will determine salary and service benefits. Teachers will be required to download a dedicated attendance mobile app. The app will function only within a fixed distance from the college premises, ensuring geo-authentication. Teachers can then mark attendance through facial recognition on their own phones.

Sixth day of the week: On duty day

However, concerns have emerged regarding the software configuration. College teachers have five working days a week, but the system currently operates on a six-day work model, similar to other government employees. Despite not having duties on the sixth day, teachers are instructed to mark themselves ‘on duty’.

Teachers allege that the software has not been customised to the academic work structure. They say they are being compelled to record incorrect attendance due to the mismatch.